Wire-fence machine.



. A PATENIBD AUJG. 4,' 1908. n v G. `E. MIRFIBLD. WIRE FENCE MACHINE. A'PPLICATION rlLnn JUNE 1o, 1907.4

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' PATENTED AUG.4,'1908.

E. E. MIREIELD.lv I y WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLAnox rxLEn JUNE 1o, 1901.

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WIRE FENCE MACHINE. 'APPLwATxoN rum) JUNI: 1o, 1901.

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vIHHIIHIIIIIIH l 'E .A 'PATENTEDA'UG.4,'19o.4; G'. E. MIREIELD. vWIRE FENCE MACHINE. y, .APELIOETIOE PILE-E JUNE 1o, 1901.

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B. MIRFIBLD. WIRE FENCE Mmmm.` APPLIOATIUH FILED JUNE l0, 1907.

PATENTBD AUG. 4, 1908,@l

G. B. MIRPIELD. 'f WIRE FENCE Mmmm..4

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10, 1907.V

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, PATENTBD AUG. i, 1908.

' occurring in the completed fabric; to give the Aras PATENT y OFFICE.

GEORGE E. MIRFIELD, OFJOLIET, ILLINOIS.'

WIRE-FENCE MACHINE. v

Application filed June 1o, 1907. serial No. 378,161.

To all whom' it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. MIRFIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Joliet, in the county of-ll'ill and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Making fire Fence', of which the following is a specification. Y

This invention relates to machines for making .the type of fence having longitudinal or strand wires and cross or stay wires, with the stay wires formed of sections, and the ends of each stay section coiled around the strand wire adjacent thereto.

The objects of t 1e invention are to furnish a plurality of hopp ars, cach adapted to contain a number of stayvsections, with the hopers so located as leenable a stay section to e delivered across two ongitudinal or strand wires; to furnish a con( uit for each hopper, into which the stay se tions enter, and from which a single stay sect1 l'n is, delivered at the proper time to furnishXE `v`rppper for each topper conduit, each dr pper receiving a st ay section, and carrying such tay sect-ion into position over two strandw ires; to furnish a plurality of coiler headspoiiofor cach longitudinal or strand wire and operating to coil the ends of the sta y section around two strand wires; to furnish a reciprocating bar and an operating segment having a plurality of cam grooves for operating the reciprocating bar and raising and lowering thcdropper for the stay section; to endwise move the dropper of the stay section and carryrthe st ay section into position, for its ends to overlap two longitudinal or strand wires; to give the coiler heads an intermittent rotation after a stay section has been placed in position over two longitudinal or strand wires, for the coiler head to operate and coil the `ends of the stay section around the strand wires; to give the dropper receiving the stay sections a rising and falling movement -and an endwise movement, for delivering and placing a stay section in position across two longitudinal or strand wires; to furnish means for crimping the strand wires between the stays, by means of a roller carrying va plurality of crimping heads or blocks arranged in series, with openings between the blocks for the passage of the strand wires, and with the blocks or heads endwise movable to crimp the strand wires; to automatically stop the machine in the event of a broken or unattached stay section Specification of Letters Patent.

rasanten Aug; 4, 190s.

strand wires an intermittent advance coincident with the delivering and placing of the stay sections in position across the strand wires :pand to improve generally the construction and arrangement of the various mechanisms and devices entering into the formation of the machine as a whole.

The invention consists in the features of construction and combinations of. .parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a top or plan view of the machine; Fig. 2 a front elevation of the machine; Fig. 3 asectional elevation of the machine; Fig. 4 an enlarged detail, partly 1n section, showing, 1n eleva-tion, the hopper, the conduit leading therefron'i, the

pusher for advancing the stay sections in the conduit, the dropper, and the operatin g means therefor, the coiler or twister head, and the operating means for the coiler or twister head, with the dropper in raised position; Fig. 5 a similar view to Fig. 4, with the stay sections omitted, and with the dropper in its lowermost position; Fig. G an en argcd detail, being a top or plan view of a dropper and its operating means, and showing t 1e dropper inl position to carry a stay section across the space between two strand wires; Fig. 7 a similar view to Fig.- 6, showing the dropper disconnected from the stay section and in osition to be raised into receiving position;-

ig. S a similar view to Fig. 6, showing the dropper in its raised position, and showinClr the ends of the stay section coiled arount the strand wires; Fig. 9 an enlarged detaih showing the hopper, the conduit and the dropper for the stay section in its raised position,` with the table and the o )eratmg arts for the dropper in section; `ig. 10 a ongitudinal section of the dropper; Fig. l1 an enlarged detail, being an end elevation of the dropper and conduit, showing the retaining springs for the stay section; Fig. 12 a longitudinal section of a coiler or twister head and its shaft; Fig. 13 a detail, being a plan view of the oscillating segment with the cam grooves, showing an arrangement of cam grooves for attaching the stay sections in staggered relation to the longitudinal or strand wires; Fig. 14 a detail in sectionalelevation of the main driving shaft, the ratcliet\ in section, showing the gear and crank arm, for giving a reciprocating movement to the ratchet gear shaft.; Fig. 1T a detail, partly in section, showing the connected gear for operating the crimping mechanism; Fig. 1S a detail, partly in section, showing the electrical contact for breaking the circuit and stopping the machine in the event of a broken or unattached stay section; Fie'. 19 a` detail, partly in section, showing the'giiide tension and straightening rollers for the longitudinal or strand wires; Fig. 20 a front .elevation of the arts shown in Fig. 19 Fig. 21 a detail, being an elevation of the movable. guide and straivhtening wheel or roller of Fig. 19; Fig. 22 a longitudinal section of the criiii ucr; Fig. 23 angend elevation on an enlarge scale of the ci'imper of Fig. 22; Fig. 24 a detail in sect-ion, showing the roller and the crimping block or headof Fig. 2'2; Fig. 25 an elevation, showing a portionof wire fence fabric having the stay sections united, one to the other, and to the longitudinal or strand wires, by coiling and intercoiling the ends of the stay sections with each other and around the 1ongitudinal or strand wires; Fig. 26 a det-ail enlarged, showing the construction of Fig. 2:5;

p/Fig. 27 a cross section of Fig. 26; Fig. 2S an elevation of a portion of a-fence fabric, showing the stay sections in staggered relation, with the ends ot the sections coiled around the longitudinal o1' strand wires; Fig. 29 an enlarged detail of the construction shown in Fig. 2S; and Fig. 30 a cross section of Fig. 29.

The construction shown has a base or inain frame, on which are mounted the various mechanisms of the machine, andthis'base or main frame, as shown, has a bottom or base plate 1, side plates or walls 2, and a front plate or wall 3, with a ilange 4 at the top of the front plate or wall, and each side plate or wall 2 has a rearward bracket arm or supportI 5, for mounting the shaftof the reel and the front wall, as shown, has an outward curved bottom 6 for locating and supporting the frame of the guide and straightening roll ers or wheels for the longitudinal or strand wires. A lower eror beam 7, and an upper cross bea-m S extend from side plate or wall to side plate or wall in the arrangementl shown. A. secondary frame extends up from each side wall or plate of the main or base frame, and each secondary frame is formed of a lower rail 9, a front rail 10, a rear rail 11, a top rail 12, bracing rails 13, and an intermediate or cross rail 14, in the construction shown, which rails form a frame support. for the crimping mechanism, the take-up roller for the completed fabric, and the mechanism for stopping the machine.

A table or platform 1.3 is attached by bolts y 16, or otherwise, to the flange 4, at the top of the front plate or wall, and this table' 15, .in the construction shown, is on the arc of a en cle, butI could be otherwise formed to suit a: stay section.

the constructibn and arrangement of the operating mechanisms of the machine.

The table Vhas mounted thereon a pluraht}v of hoppers 17, each hopper adapted to receive a number of stay sections, previouslye d\\lengt.h for the staysec space between two adjacutof the reqiiif tions to cross th cent strand wires.

Each hopper is formedof two end walls l@ afront wall 19, a rear wall 20, and an incl inclined bottom and thecnd of the rear wall, through which opening the stay sections can pass to enter the passage,\'23 of the conduit 24, in which passage 23 the stay sections are intermittently advanced, as required to deliver ai sta): section at the rear end of the conduit, for the delivered stay section to be received by the dropper g and between the con-4 duit- 24 and the rear wall 20 of-*thehopper is a brace 25 connecting the hopper and the conduit. A pusher 26 is locatedin line with the passage of the conduit, -so as to en' gage the rearinost stay section and'push the forward or foremost stay section from the conduit with the advance of the'pusher. TheA bottom wall of the conduit 24 extends back of the upper wall and is entered ilito a seat 27 below the. pusher 26, so as to permit the required movement of the pusher to push out The pushers are located, one atI cach end of the conduit, and are connected by a. cross plate 28, between supporting plates 29 located beneath the conduit.. Each supporting plate 29 has a lug'30 entering a groove 31, formed in a standard plate 32,' supporting the conduit and the hopper on the table or platform 15 in such manner as to locate the conduits in a stepped relation, as

clearly shown in Fig. 1, so that each conduit. atone corner, will Je in. advance of the adjoining conduit of the companion hopper, by

. which arrangementthe stay sections can be delivered in an angling relation to the coiler or twister heads, and the longitudinal or strand wires, and in such manner that one end of the stay section is on one side of a longitudinal or strand wire, and the other end of the sta) section is on the opposite side of the adjacent longitudinal or strand wire, as shown in Fig. 1, and so that when the stay section is. finally in position, for making a stay with the sections in line, the ends of each stay section will be on opposite sides of thel strand wires Lo which the staj)T section is to be attached.

A bottom plate 33 extends between the end plates or supports 29, and a bolt or bolts 3-t connect the bottom plate 33, and with it the pusher, to a reciprocating bar 35 located in a groove 236 formed in the upper face of the table or platform 15, so as to be free to -slide back and forth in the groove. The

upper face of the reciprocating or slidablel ined bottoni 21, with a mouth or opening '22 between the end of the im, apptynfg, Snort 3S between the lugs, into which space is entered lug 39 on a sleeve or head 40, extending up Vfrom which is an arm or support 41, having at its upper or free end two heads 42, each with a groove or recess 43, for the reception of a stay section, and, as shown, a. spring The sleeve or head 40 is iixedly attached to a )in or sha'lt 44,' which is endwise slidable hy means of a pin 45 upwardly extending. therefrom 'and movable in a groove 46 formed in a. head or socket 47, through which the slidable shaft or pin 44 passes. The pin 45 enters an opening 4S in the end of an oseillating arm 49, so that, as the arm 49 oscillated or vibrated thevpin 45 will be moved back and forth in the slot 46, carrying with it the pin or shaft 44, and moving the head or socket 40, the arm or support 41, and the heads 42 endwise. Thevr arm 49 extends out from a bearing or sleeve 50, mounted on a lpin or journal 51 extendingr up from the i atform or table 15, and this bearing or s eeve 50 has, extending out therefrom, la short arm- 52, which is engaged by stops or lugs 53 and 54 o'n the reciprocating or slidable bar 35, so

that, as the bar 35 is reciprocated the stops or lugs 53 and 54 will4 engage the arm 52 and vibrate or oseillate the arm 49, to move endwise the shaft 44 andthe parts carried thereby. A spring 55, attached at one end to the arm 52 and at the opposite end to a pin 56 extending up from the table or platform 15, serves to keep the arm or lug 52 in position for engagement b v the lugs 53 and 54 as the har 35 is 'reciprocateth Each bar 35 has an extension orarm 57 in a higher )lane than the body of the bar, as shown in iiigs. 4 and 5, and at the end of the arm 57 is a pin or pivot 5S, on which is mounted a roller 59, which enters an inclined or cam groove 60, formed in a plate or head V61, so that as the plate. or head 61 is oscillated the inclined or cam groove 60 will engage the roller 59 and give the sliding har 35 its reciprocating movement. Each plate or head 61' has, at its front end 62, a cam edge 63, terminating at one corner in a depression 64, as shown in Figs. 7 and S. The cam edge 63 engages a roller 65, mounted on a pivoter pin 66, extending up from a bar slidable in a groove 68, formed in the upper face of the table or platform 15; and to the sliding bar is a-ttached, b v a bolt 69, an ear 70, of a web 71, depending from the socket or sleeve 47, so that, as the sliding .bar 67 is moved back and forth, a corresponding movement will .be

given to the socket or sleeve 47, and the pin 44, by which the-heads 42 will be carried into position to deliver the stay section to the strand wires, and will bereceded so as to clear i the. stay section as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

A spring 72 is located between the end -wall of the groove 68, and the end of the bar 67, which spring serves to hold the roller 65 against the cam edge 63, and to cause the rolier to enter the depression 64 and carry the heads to the limit of their foremost drop, as shown in Fig. 6, for placing the stav section in position to extend between two longitudinal or strand wires.

' A segmental plate 73 is located within the .periphery of the segmental table or )latform 1-5 in the construction shown, andthis plate 73 carriesthe heads or plates 61 with the inclined or cam grooves 60, so that with the oscillation of the plate 73 the. cam grooves will operate and give the sliding bars 35 their reciprocating movement. The segmental plate 73 is attached, by arms or spokes 74, to a collar or sleeve 75 loosely mounted ou a vertical shaft 76, to which shaft is attached, hy a key 77, the hub 7S of an arm 79 having, at its outer end, a bearing 80, which receives apivot or journal pin 81, of a connecting link S2, the other end of which is mounted on a pivot or pin S3 which pivot 0r pin has entered thereonto a collar or eye S4, of an arm or link 85, of a bell crank lever. The arm S5 has an eye or bea-ring S6 for a pivot or pi'n 87, extending up from the table or platform 15, and from the eye or .bearing S6 the other arm or link 8S of t-he bell crank lever extends, and has an eye'or bearing 90 to receive a pin or pivot 91 of a link 92, the other end of which link has an eye or bearing 93, and is attached to a pin or pivot 94 extending up from the segmental plate 73, as shown in Fig. l. The shaft 76 has a rocking movement given thereto, and this rocking movement is transmitted to the. arm 79, and through the connecting link S2, the bell crank lever, having .the arms S5 and SS, and link 92, gives the segmental plate 73 and the cam heads or plates thereon, an oscillating or vibrating movement, by which the several bars 35 are reciprocated to operate the droppers and deliver the vstay sections to the strand wires.

The table or platform 15 has mounted therein a plurality of coiler heads 95, each coiler head having a longitudinal hole 96 extending therethrough and through the shaft thereof, and each coiler head, as shown,

has two coiling pins 97, projecting out from the upper face of the coiler head on opposite sides of the central longitudinal hole. The

-shaft or stem of the coiler head is mounted in a hearing 9S, and encircling each shaft or stem is a pinion 99, which meshes with agear wheel 100, the rim of which is connected by spokes 101, with a hub 102 loosely I mounted on the shaft 76, andfree to revolve 106 engage the teeth 107 of a circular ratchet 108 keyed to the shaft, so as to oscillate or rock with the shaft. The engagement of the teeth 107, of the circula-r ratchet S, with the pawls 104 and 106 move the gear 100 intermittently forward, corresponding to the forward rock of the shaft 76 and the circular ratchet 10S, and with the reverse movement of the circular ratchet the pawls 104.

and 106 ride over the ratchet tect 1 and 'impart no movement to the gear 100, the result eing that the gear` 100 is given an intermittent forward rotation for intermittently operating the coiler heads in coiling the ends of the stay sections around the longitudinal or strand wires.- The coiler or twister heads, at the cessation of each advance or forwardrotation of the gear 100, will be brought to normal position for receiving the sections oi' the' next succeeding stay.

The h ub 109 of the circular ratchet is .keyed or otherwise attached to the shaft '7 6,

and the shaft 76 is Asupported in an upper journal box or bearing 110, attached to the cross beam S, anda lower journal box or bearing 111 attached to the lower cross beam 7, as shown in Fig. 3. A collar orv sleeve 112 is fixcdly mounted on the shaft 76 and has, extending out therefrom, an arm or link 1 13,

' the outer end of which carries a pivot or pin 114, to which is attached one end of apitlnan or link 115, the .other end of which pitman or link is attached to a wrist :in 116, eccentrically located on a disk 117 xedly attached to a shaft 118, supported in suitable journal boxes or bearings 119 attached to one side wall or plate of the main orbase frame. The shaft 11S, atits upper end, has fixed thereon a bevel gear 120, which meshes with a bevel pinion 121 on a shaft 122 supported in suitable journal boxes or bearings on the side plate or wall of the main or base frame, and the shaft 122 has thereon a sprocket'whcel 123, over which a driving sprocket chain 124 runs from a sprocket whee 125 on the shaft 126 of an electric motor 127, in the construction shown. It will be seen that the rotation of the disk 117, through the pitman or link 115, oscillates or vibrates the arm 113, and,

through the collar or sleeve 112 rocks the shaft 76, giving the circular ratchet 10S and the arm 79 an oscillating or rocking movement, for the circular ratchet to transmit an intermittent rotation to the gear 100,'and for the arm 79 to give an oscillating or vibrating movement to the plate 73 and the parts carried b said plate.

The curved ottoni 6 of the front wall or plate of the base or main frame, in they construction shown, has secured thereto a lurality of frames 12S, each frame attache to the wall b v lugs or webs 129, so as to have a fixed relation.. Each frame, as shown, has a pluralit of ears 130, arrfmgedfiwpaiizsrand each pair of ears carries a pivot or journal pin 131, of a grooved roller or wheel 132, so

that the rollers or wheels 132 will be onthe are of a circle. A grooved roller or wheel 134 is located in the space between the upper and intermediate groovcd rollers or wheels 132, and this groove roller or wheel 134 is carried by a .journal pm or pivot 135, mounted in the forked lower end of an arm 186, as

shown in Fig. 1; and the arm 136 is mount` ed on a pivot or1pin 137 su )ported in cars 13S, extending out from the ront wall of the base or main frame, as shown in Fig. 19. The upper end of eac-h movable arm 136 has an eye 139, for the passage of a threaded stem 140, on which is a hand wheel 141, between the hub of which hand wheel and the face of the eye 139 is a coiled spring 142, giving the arm 136 a yielding movement, to compensate for the stiffness of andthe kinks or bends in the longitudinal or strand wire and maintain the roper tension for these wires. TheA threat ed stem 140 is entered into a hole in the front' wall, so that the stem can be advanced or rec-eded, and cause the coiled spring 142 to act with more or less `force on the upper end of the arm 136, and

give the roller or wheel 134 a greater or less frictional bearing. on the longitudinal or strand vnre. The longitudinal or strand wire passes belowthe' grooved rollers or wheels 132 and above the groovedrolleror wheel 134, so that the wire coming from the spool will be straightened for passage up and through the shaft and the coiler or twister head freely and without liability of becoming stuck in the longitudinal hole of the coiler or twister head and its shaft. 'A series of wheels, each wheel formed with a V shaped opening in or between the outwardly s )read arms or spokes 143 radiatingfrom a hu 144, furnish the take-up and carrying wheels for the completed fabric after the stay sections are attached to the longitudinal or strand wires. 'The hub 144 of each wheel is mounted on a shaft 145 supported in journal boxes `or bearings 146 at each end of the shaft.

Each journal box or bearing 146 is on the end of an arm 147, and each arm 147 has a.

collar or bearing 14S, mounting the arm on al rock shaft 149, which is supported in suitable journal boxes or bearings 149a 011 the upper rail 9 of the secondary frame, so that the arms 147 are free to oscillate or vibrate with the supporting shaft.

Extending rearwardly from one collar or sleeve 14S is an arm 150, having at its end a journal pin or pivot 151 carrying -a roller 152, which engages with the scalloped edge 153 of a plate 154, so that, as the plate 154 isrel l ta y apply-mgnoi atapi volved, the scalloped edge or trackway 153 will cause the wheel to be alternately depressed and elevated, rockingfthe shaft 149 and giving a rising and falling movement to the butterfly wheels, for such wheels to act and give an intermittent advance tothe lon- The plate 1 54, with: its-scalloped edge ory track 153 is mounted on and revolves with a shaft 155, on which are iixedly mounted the hubs or sleeves 156, one at cach end of a crimping roller 157, for the roller to revolve with the shaft. The exterior face of the crimping roller 157 has therein a plurality of longitudinal grooves 158, and each groove 158 receives a series of blocks 159, the blocks cndwise contacting cach other, as shown in Fig. 22. Each block 159 has an upper face 160, and between the several upper faces, and in line with the contacting ends of the blocks or heads, is arecess 161 to receive the longitudinal or strand wire. One end block, or head, 160, has a fork 162, in which is mounted a roller 163 arranged to engage a cam having a raised or projected edge face 4164 and a depressed edge face 165, which cam is mounted on or secured to an upper rail 9 of one side of the secondary frame. Each row vof" blocks or heads has, in line therewith, a

finger 166, cach finger mounted on a pin or pivot 167 between ears 168, extending out from the end of the crimping roller, and cach finger 166 has an adjustingv screw 169, entered into one end of a coiled spring 179, located in a recess or hole 171, formed in the end plate of the crimping roller, so that the spring will act against the tailend of the filiger 166 and force the tail end of the finger out` ward, as shown in Fig. 2, for the finger to carry endwise the row of 4crimping blocks or heads into the position, shown on the under side of Fig. 2, in which position the strand wires enter the recess161 and will be crimped as the row of blocks or heads are forced endwise in the opposite direction by the engagement of the roller 163 with the projected edge 164 of the cani, and such endwise movement of the row of blocks orheads will crimp or bend each longitudinal or strand fwire, and with the passage-of the roller 163 'over the pro jeeted edge 164v of the cam, the spring 170 acts against the tail end of the finger and forces the row of blocks endwise to normal or receiving position for the longitudinal or strand wires.

The continuously revolving shaft 155, carslot 178 formed in the en ings 172 on the top rails of the secondaryv frame, and the shaft 155 at one end has fixedly mounted thereon a bevel gear 173 which meshes with a bevel' gear 174 fixedly at Vt-aehed to the upper end of a vertical shaft 175, which shaft is supported in suit-able journal boxes or bearings 176 extending out from one secondary frame. The shaft 175, at its lower end, has ixedly mounted thereon a spur gear 177, which rejects through a d) wall 2 of thc main or base frame, for the spur gear 177 to mesh with a spur pinion or gear 179 connected b a hub 180 with a spur gear 181,011 astud sha t 182 mounted in a. suitable bearing, the journal, boxes 183 extending out from the end wall of' the main or base frame. The spur gear 181 meshes with'a spul` gear 184, fixedly mounted on the shaft 118, so that the continuous rotation of the shaft 1.18 from the bevel gears 120 and 121 and shaft will, through the train of gears 181, 179 and 177, continuousl revolve the vertical shaft 175, `and throue' i the bevel gears 173 and 17 4 continuously revolve the shaft 155 and the devicesv carried by such shaft. The crimping roll/er has a continuous revolution, and by its engagement with the longitudinal or strand wires, would continuously feed forward or advance such wires, but such continuous revolution is interrupted by the action of the take-up rollerhaving the wheels formed of the spokes 143 and hubs 144, which roller, by dropping, reduces or causes a temporary slack of the ongitudinal or strand wires, which slack continues a sufficient length of time for the coiler or twister hcads'to operate and coil or twist the ends of the stay section around the longitudinal or strand wires, and att-he terminus of the ceiling operation the take-up roller is raised by the action of the plate or disk 154, with its track 153, and such raising and upward movement of the 4take-up roller will pull the longitudinal or strand wires upwardly faster than the travel of the crim )ing roller, thus giving an intermittent fcc the longitudinal or strand wires.

A journal box or beariiiflr 185, is attached to the icar face of each upright or rail 11 of the secondary frame, and in these journal boxes or bearings is fixedly mounted al shaft 186, which shaft has loosely mounted thereon a plurality of collars 187, and each collar has radiating out therefrom pins or spokes 188, to contact thc stays of the completed fabric. Each collar 188 is free to revolve on the shaft 186, and is insulated lfrom the shaft by a strip 189 of suitable insulated material, and each collar has entered thereinto a sleeve 19() for of suitable insulating material, which sleeve man" the'ends of the pins abut one against the other. On the shaft, at each end of the series of contacts, is mounted a disk 192 having a binding screw or post 193, to which is connected a wire 194, leading to a controller, for the electric motor 127, completing an electric circuit from the motor. The circuit from the electric motor will remain perfect so long as the seveial contacts have lthe pins in end engagement, which will be the case if all of the stay sections are united to the longitudinal or strand wires, but in the event .a

stay section is broken or is not attached at its ends to the longitudinal or strand wires, such s'tavsection, when engaging the contact wheel in line therewith, will not turn it in unison with the remaining contacts, and such ynonturning of a contact breaks the circuit of the contact pins and interrupts the current from the motor, stopping thc motor and with it the mechanisms driven thereby. It will thus be seen that an automatic cut out for the motor, and a positive stopping of the mechanisms, is obtained by the circuit breaker formed by the series of wheels and their contact pins.

A shaft 195 is mounted 'in suitable bearings in the ears or extended brackets 5 of the secondary frame, and on this shaft is mounted a spool 196 for the completed fabric to be wound thereon, which spool can he of 'any usual and well known construction. The shaft 195, at one end, has fixed thereto a gear wheel 197, in mesh with which is a worm gear 19S on a shaft. 199, mounted in suitable bearings in su )ports or brackets 200, extending out from tlheniain or base frame. The shaft 199 is a divided shaft, and one section thereof has one member 201 of a friction clutch, the

` other member 202 of which clutch is attached to the other section of the divided shaft. The member 202 of the friction clutch has a groove 203, in which is entered the arm 204 of an L lever, which lever is mounted on a suitable pin or pivot 205, and the other inember 206 thereof is engaged by an adjusting screw 207 carried by a post or support 203, so that by turning the hand wheel of the adjusting screw the movable member 202. of the friction clutch can-be moved forward or back, so as to increase or decrease the frictional engagement, and give the proper revolution to the reel shaft, for winding the com leted fabric on the spool. The driving sha t- 199, at one end, has a bevel gear 209, meshing with a bevel gear 210 on the vertical shaft 175, so that the criin'per and the reel shaft will be revolved in unison for taking up and disposing of the completed fabric.

The strand wires 211, to the number required for the height of fence, or the wires for the fence, pass )etween the straightening rollers or wheels 132 and 135, and are upwardly extended, each through its eoiler or twister head and the shaft of the head, and the advance end of each strand wire is caught by the crimping roller, so as to beheld firmly= in the recesses of the roller. The stay sec or strand wires, are placed in the respective foregoing description, but briefly is as follows: The strand wires are threaded into the inachine, for a strand wire to pass through each ceiler or twister head and its shaft?, and the sta-y sections are placed in their hoppcrs, and with the longitudinal or strand wiresvprop erly threaded into the machine and the stay sections in the hoppers, the machine is ready for operation. At the start of the machine the cain'earrying plate 73 should be in positioirfor the roller 59 of each sliding bar 35 to be engaged by the lowest point of its inclined or cam groove 60, and as the plate 73 is moved in the direction for the lowest point of the inclined or cani grooves to engage. the rollers, and each sliding bar 35 will have reached the limit of its advance movement or throw, and will have raised the drop )er actuated by each sliding bar, for all of tllie droppers to stand in their receiving position shown in Fig. 4, and at the saine time each sliding bar, as its advance is completed, will have carried forward the pusher operated thereby, foi' each pusher, by its advance, to eject a stay section into the groove or recess 43 of the dropper head 42, for the stay section to be carried down by the di'oppei for delivery to tlie` coiler heads and the strand wires. i

The opposite or return travel or swing of the cani carrying plate 73 causes each inclined or cam groove 60 to engage its roller59 and simultaneously recede the several sliding bars from their advance position, bringing 4contact with the coacting lug or finger 39, rocking each head 40 on its pin 44, and swinen-ig the droppcr as a whole downward, eac i ceived thereinto at the com )letion of the advance throw of the sliding bar. The downward movement of each dro )per continues during the recession of each sliding bar, and as the highest point of the inclined or cani groove 60 engages the roller, the dropper will be fully lowerc and with it the stay section carried thereby.

Each roller 65, during the operation of raising and lowering each dropper rides on the track or face 63 therefor, so as to raise each dropper, and when raised maintain it in position for receiving a stay section and to lower cach dropper and deliver the stay section, and when each dropper is lowered, each tions', of the required length to' extend across. the space between the respective longitucinal hoppers therefor, am these stay sections 212 'passfroni the hopper into the feeding passage he operation will be understood from thel dropper carrying with it the stay section, rei the forward lug 37 on cach sliding bar into A f. f t .:i/ i e: if.. 'ai :i in

i Ca'nr'.; omslag, All wire.,

saine coiler heads, as shown in Fig. 6, .which c movement occurs when each roller G leaves 13 the track or face 63 and enters the depression or recess 64, thereby carrying each dropper further forward and placing the stay section in position for the endwise movement of each di'opper to enter the ends of the stay section 15 between the coiling pins and strand wires of two coilers. The commencement of the return swing of the cam carrying plate 73 to its first position, causes each roller. 65 to pass out of the depression or recess 64 ytherefor 29 and onto its track or face 63, giving each dropper a receding movement to clear 1t from the stay section, so that as each cani or inclined groove continues in contact with its coact-ing roller 59, each sliding bar 35 will be t advanced to the position first described, and in such advance the rearmost lug 37 on each sliding bar will contact the coperating lug or finger 39, and rock the head 40, raising each dropper into upright receiving position,

and carrying each pusher into position to eject a stay section from the conduit as hereinbefore described; and during such advance of each sliding bar 35, the lug 53 thereon will -contaet the arm 52 and swing each arm 49 5 away from the sliding bar, causing each iin 45 to endwise move each pin 44, and wit i it 111e dropper,'for each dropper, when raised, `to receive, in the recess or groove of its head, "the next succeeding stay section. The coilcr 40 heads, after the stay section has been positioned so as to cross the space between two strand-wires, with the ends overlap )ing the strand wires, as shown in Fig. 6, or otherwise,

are simultaneously revolved by the engagenient of the gear 100 with the pinion 99 of l each coiler shaft, thereby coiling,r the ends of the stay sectiois around the strand wires, which operation occurs after the droppers have been disengaged from the stay sections `,0 and during the period of time that the droppers are raised and lowered to deliver the next succeeding stay section. The gear 100 is intermittently revolved by means of the circular ratchet and the pawls'on the gear,

and such intermittent rotation occurs, after the stay sections have been placed in position over the coiler heads and adjacent to the strand wires.

be one to produce two or more coils of' the e9 stay section ends around the strand wires.

The t ako-up rollei', during the ceiling operation, is dropped or lowered so as to stop the advance of the strand wires until the completion of the coilingoperation, at which time The rotation of the ear can cient length of strand wire for the spacing of crimping roller, thus producing an interinitvtent advance for the strand wires.

The crimping roller receives, between the crimping blocks or heads in the recesses 161, c

the strand wires; and, as the blocks or heads 160 are moved endwise, by the projected edge 154 of the cani, a crimp will be produced in each str-and wire, and at the same time the heads or blocks act as jaws to hold the strand wires and insure the proper advance of the fabric, after the stay sect-ions have been at tached thereto` The completed fabric, after having the strand wires crimped, is wound onto a spool for final disposition, and the siool is mounted on the shaft 195, which shaft is driven at thc reouisite speed ,through the friction clutch on the shaft- 199, so as to revolve the spool at the proper speed to coincide with the delivery of the completed fabric from the crimping roller.

The machine is stopped through the cut' out, formed `by the contact collars and pins, by the failure of a broken or unattached stay section to engagewith and move a pin, thus stopping the machine without any assistance from the operatori and enabling the. operator to make the necessary repair of the fabric, by

'inserting a new tay section, or properly attaching.; the unat ached stay section.

The timingr of the different mechanisms will be understood from the description of the operation, aiid",while the construction and arrangement. shcnn has the coilcr heads vand the lioppcis andlthe cooperating devices arranged on a semi-circle, it is to be understood that the coiler heads, the hoppers and the cooperating devices can be arranged in a straight line, and when' arranged in a straight line a reciprocating slide for the cams which raises and lowers the droppcrs and a reciprocating rack bar ci'igaging the pins on the employed in place of the segmental plate carrying the cams and the intermittently rotatable gear for operating the coiler heads.

` The arrangement shown in Fig. I has the inclined or cam grooves running` in the same direction, and withtliis construction the inachine will produce asquare mesh fence fabric of the form shown ingFigs. 25, 26 and 27, in which the stay srctionshave their ends intereoiled and coiled arountbthe longitudinal or strand wires. The type of fence shown in Figs. 28, .29 and 30, in which the stay sections are in staggered relation-.can be made on the machine of the present invention withoiit\any change in the mechanisms ex cept in arranging the inclined or cani grooves to have alternate grooves run in the same direction, as shown in Fig. 13, in which ari 65 the take-up roller-is elevated, drawing a suf'h-V rangement one division of the pushers, drop- 1li) shaft of the coilcr or twister heads is to be v v pers and coders will be advanced as the other division of these parts is receded, such adl i v ance and recession alternating with the divisions. pers, coller or twister heads, [take-up roller,

The operation of the pushers,ilrop crimping roller and spcoling the completed fabric is the saine as dese'i'ib ld for the conj st. tuction of fence shown in Fig. 25, and, there- It willvthus be voe, need not be repeated. shenxthat b v merely changing the run of the inelined or cani groove so as; to have iii one' casptlie grooves all run iii the same direction andfin another. case have alternate grooves.;

run inithe saine direction the-,machine is capable of producing a sectional stay square mesi. fence in which the stay lsections arcin line with\\their ends iiitercoiled and coiled around the"I longitudinal or strand wires as in Fig. 25 when the inclined or cam grooves all run in the saine direction, and of producing asquare mesh felice in which'the stay sec,

tions are in staggered relation, as shown in Fig. 2S, when, alternate inclined or cani grooves run in the saine direction, and this ,without changingv the other mechanisms of the machine.

lVliile I have described the arrangement, combination, and o eration of the various part-s and devices, t iat. enter into the conf struction of my machine, with considerable niinnteness of detail, so that t-lie.niaiinei"-of making and using my invention would be clearly understood, uvet/I do not desire to` tion of mechanism for intermittently advanc-` ing a plurality of strand wires, a plurality of hoppers, each hopper adapted to contain pre-A viously formed stay sections, means for feeding stay sections one at a time from each hopper, and means for receiving the single stav section fed from each hopper and delivering.

the saine to the strand wires, substantially as described- 2. In a wire. fence machine, the combination of mechanism for intermittently advancing a pluralityl of strand wires, a plurality of hoppers, each hopper ada )ted to contain stay sections, means for de ivering a single stay section from each hopper to the strand wires, and means for endwise moving the stay sections for the stay section at cach end to overlap a lstrand wire, substantially as described.

3. In a Wire fence machine, the combinasubstantially as described.

tion of meidianisin for intermittently advancing a plurality of strand wires, a plurality of hoppersreach hopper ada )ted to contain stay seetons. means for delivering a single stay section from each hopper to the strand wires, riierans for endwise moving the stay sections tor the stay section at each end to stay section from each hopper to the strand wires, nieams for endwise moving each delivered stay Aset-tran across two adjoining strand lwires,wiil`n the ends of each stay section overlappingeaich other and the strand wires, and means for iniercoiling the stay section ends with eachi ioiher and around the stra-nd wires 5.V In a; iwire fence machine, the combination of nie-iilianisin for intermittently advancing a plimidity of strand wires, a. plurality of hoppers, teach hopper adapted' to contain sect-ions on' a stay wire, means for feeding a stay sectcm from each hopper, means for delivering time fed stay section to the strand wires, meanis for endwise moving each stay section foar the ends to overlap the strand wires, anni ii'ieairs for eoiling the'overlappcd ends of emi-lh stay section around the strand wire, substantially as described.

6. In ai iwire fence machine, the combination of m'ewlianisin for intermittently advancing a plurzaliiy of strand wires, a plurality of lioppersr czech hopper adapted to contain sect-ions ot' a stay wire, means for feeding a stay seetioin from each hopper, means for delivering time ied -stay section to the strand wires, nieams for eiidwise moving each stay section foe the ends to overlap each other and the strandl wires, and means for intercoilinnr the stay .section ends with each other an around tine si rand wires, substantially as described- 7. In ai iwire fence. machine, the combination of nieiiiianisiii f or intermittently advancinga plinvnliiy of strand wires, a plurality of hoppers, e-.iich hopper adapted to contain stay sectiicais, a pusher for removing a stay section fro-zn each hopper, and a dropper for each lioppwr. each 4dropper receiving the reinoved stasi section from cach hopper and delivering tine section to the strani wires, Substantially ais described.

S. In ai rire fence machine, the combination of nieeiiianism for intermittently advancing a plurzalii v of strand wires, a plurality of hoppers, each hopper adapted to contain stay sections. a pusher for removing a sta section troon each hopper, a drop er for each hopper, eaieli dropper receiving t e removed E i* Stel? apgtjng, Shortstay.

wwe,

stay section from each hopper, and delivering the section to the strand wires, and means for endwise moving each drop per to have the ends of the stay sections overlap the strand wires, substantially as described.

9. In a wire fence machine, the combina.- tion of mechanism for intermittently advancing a pluralit of strand wires, a plurality of hoppers, eac 1 hopper adapted to contain stay sections, a pusherfor Vremoving a stay section from eaeh hopper, a drop )er for each hopper, each dropper receiving the removed stay section from each hopper, and delivering the section to the strand wires, means tor endwise moving each dropper to ,have the ends of .the sta-y sections over ap the strand wires, and means for returning each drop )er to receiving position, substantially as described.

10. In a wire fence machine, the combination of mechanism for intermittently advancing a plurality of strand wires, a plurality of hoppers,' each hopper adapted to contain stay sections, a pusher for removing a stay section from each hopper, a dropper for each hopper, each dropper receiving the removed stay section from each hopper, and delivering the section to the strand wires, means for endwis'e moving each dropper to havethe ends of the stay sections overlap the strand wires, and a plurality of coiler heads, one coiler head foreach strand wire, engaging the overlapping ends of the stay sections and ceiling such ends around the strand wires, substantially as described.

11. In a wire fence machine, the combination of mechanism for intermittently advancing a plurality of strand wires, a plurality of hoppers, each hopper adapted to contain stay sections, a pusher for removing a stay section from each hopper, a dropper for each hopper, each dropper receiving the removed stay section from each hopper and deliveringr the section to the strand wires, means for endwise moving each dropper to have the endsof the stay sections overlap the strand wires, a plurality of coiler heads, one coiler head for each strand wire, engaging the overlapping ends of the stay sections and coiling such ends around the strand wires, and means for simultaneously revolving the plurality of coiler heads and coiling the ends of the stay sections around the strand wires, substantially as described.

12. In a wire fence machine, the combination of mechanism for intermittently advancing a plurality of strand wires, a plurality of hoppers, each hopper adapted to contain stay sections, a pusher for removing a stay section from each hopper, a dropper for each hopper, each dropper' receiving the removed stay section from each hopper and delivering the section to the strand wires, means for endwise moving each dropper to have the ends of the stay sections overlap the strand wires', a plurality of coiler heads, one coiler head for each strand wire, engaging the overlapping ends of the stay sections and coiling such ends around the strand wires, means for simultaneously revolving the plurality of coiler heads and coiling the ends of the stay sections around the strand wires, and means for crimping the st rand wires between the stays, substantially as described.

13. In a wire fence machine, the combination of mechanism for intermittently advancing a plurality of strand wires, a plurality of hoppers, each hopper adapted to contain' stay sections, a pusher for removing a stay section from each hopper, a dropper foreach hopper, each dropper receiving the removed stay section from each hopper and delivering the section to the strand wires, means for endwise moving each dropper to have the ends of the sta)l sections overlap the strand wires, a plurality of coiler heads, one coiler head for each strand wire, engaging the overlapping ends :of the stay sections and coiling such ends around the strand wires, a pinion for each coiler head, an intermittently revolvable gear common to all of the pinions of the coiler heads, and means for intermittently revolving the gear, substantially as described. y

14. In a wire fence machine, the combinat1on of mechanism for mternnttently advanc- 95 ing a plurality of strand wires, a plurality of hoppers,'each hopper adapted to contain stay sections, a pusher for removing a stay section from each hopper, a swinging dropper for each hopper, each dropper receiving the removed stay section from each hopper, and delivering the section io the strand wires, means for endwise moving each dropper to have the ends of the stay sections overlap the strand wires, a plurality of coiler heads, one head foreach strand wire, engaging the overlapping ends of the stay `sections and coiling such ends around the strand wires, a pinion for each coiler head, an intermittently revolvable gear common to all of the pinions of then coiler heads, means for intermittently re-A tion of' mechanism for intermittently advanci ing a plurality of strand wires, a plurality of fixed hoppers arranged in a semi-circle, each hopper adapted to contain previously formed stay sections, means for feeding stay sections one at a. time from each hopper and means for receiving the single stay section fed from' each hopper and delivering the same to the strand wires, substantially as described.

16. In a wire fence machine, the combination of mechanism for intermittently advancing a plurality of strand wires, a plurality of hoppers arranged in a semi-circle and each hopper adapted .to contain. stay sections, means for delivering a single stay sec-tion from each hopper to the strand wires, and

iis

i l l i l l i l n ...a f

I l the strand wires, means for endvvise moving Vfeeding a stay section from cach hopper,

means for endwise moving the several delivered stay sections for the ends of each stay section to overlap adj acent strand wires, substantiallysasdescried. y

l?. -In a wire felice machinefthe combination of mechanism for intermittently advancing a plurality of strand wires, a plurality o f fi \'ed hoppers arranged in a seini-circleand: each hopper adapted to contain stay sections, means for delivering a single stay section from each hopper to the strand wires, means for eiidwise moving the several stay sections for the ends of each stay section to overlap adjacent strand wires, and means for coiling the ends of the stay sect-ions around the strand wires, substantially as described.

1S. In a wire fence machine', the combinaf tion of mechanism for intermittently advancing a plurality of strand wires, a plurality of hoppers arranged in a semi-circle and each hopper adapted to contain stay sections, means for delivering a single stay section from each hopper to the strand wires, and means forA cndwise mov-ing each delivered stay section across two adjacent strand wires, with the ends of each staysection overlapping each other and the strand wires, substantially as described.

19. In a 'wire fence machine, the combination of mechanism for intermittently advancing a plurality of strand wires, a plurality of hoppers arranged in a semi-circle and each hopper adapted to `contain stay sections, means for delivering a single stay section from each hopper to the strand wires, means for endwise moving each delivered stay section across two adjacent strand wires, with the ends of each stay section overlapping each other and the strand wires, and means for intercoiling the sta-y section ends with each other and around the strand wires, sul)- stantially as described.

20. In a wire felice machine, the combination of mechanism for intermittently advancing a plurality of strand wires, a. plurality of hoppers arranged in a semi-circle and in a step relation one to the'otlier, each lioppei adapted to contain stay sections, means for means for delivering the fed stay section to the strand wires, means for endwise moving each lstay section for the ends to overlap the strand wires, and means fore oiling the overlapped ends of each stay section around the strand wires, substantially as described.

21. In a wire fence machine, the combination of mechanism for intermittently advaiicing a plurality of strand wires, a plurality of hoppers, arranged in 'asenii-circle and in a step relation one to the other, each hopper adapted to contain stay wire sections, means for feeding a stay section from each hopper; means for delivering the fed stay section to each stay section for the ends to overlap each other and the strand wires, and means for -intercoiluig the stay section ends with each per adapted to contain stay sections, a.l

pusher for removing a stay section from each hopper, and a swinging dropper for each hopper, each dropper receivingr the removed stay section from each hopper and delivering the stay.' sections to the strand wires, substantially as described.

23. In a wire fence machine,the coinbina-` tion of mechanism for .intermittently advancing a plurality of strand wires, a plurality of fixed hoppers arranged in a semicircle and in step relation one to the other, each hopper adapted to contain stay sections, a pusher for removing a stay section from each hopper, a swinging dropper for each hopper, each dropper receiving vthe removed stay section from each hopper and delivering the stay sections tothe strand wires, andy means for endwise moving each dropper to have the ends of the stay sections overlap the strand wires, substantially as described.

24. In a wire fence machine, the combination of mechanism for intermittently advancing a plurality of strand wires, a plurality of fixed hoppers arranged in a semi-Y circle and in step relation one to the other, cach hopper adapted to contain stay sections, a pusher for removing a stay section from cach hopper, a. swinging dropper for each hopper, each dropper receiving the removed stay section from cach hopper and delivering the stay lsections to the strand wires. means for endwise moving each dropper to have the ends of the stay sections,

overlap the strand wires, and means foi' returning cach swinging dropper to receiving position, substantially as described.

25. In a wire fence machine, the combination of mechanism for intermittently advancing a plurality of strand wires, a plurality ofy hoppers arranged in a semi-circle vand in step relation one to the other, each hopper adapted to contain stay sections, a. pusher for removing a stay section from each hopper, a swinging dropper for each hopper, each dropper receiving the removed stay section from each hopper and delivering the stajasections to the strand wires, means for entlwise moving cach dropper to have the 'ends o the stay sections overlap the strand wires, means for returning each swinging dropper to receivingposition, and a )lurality of coiler heads engaging the over apwas' apoE y'm ping ends of the stay sections, and ceiling such ends around the strand wire, substantially as described. 1

26. In a wire fence machine, the combina` Ation of mechanism for intermittently advancing a plurality of strand wires, a plu rality of hoppers arranged in a scmi-circle and in a step relation one to the other, each hopper adapted to contain stay sections, a pusher for removing a stay section from each .iopper, a swinging dropper for eachhopper, each dropper receiving the removed stay section from each hopper and delivering the stay sections to the strand wires, means for endwise moving each dropper to have the ends of the stay sections .verlap the strand wires, means for returning each swinging dropper to receiving position, a plurality of coiler heads engaging the overlapping ends of the stay sections for ceiling such ends around the strand wires, and means for simultaneously revolving the plurality of coiler heads and ceiling the ends of the stay sec-tions around the strand wires, substantially as described.

27. In a wire fence machine, the combination of mechanism for intermittently advancing a. plurality of strand wires, a plural-ity of hoppers arranged in a semi-circle and in step relationone to the other, cach hopper adapted to contain stay sections, a pusher for removing a stay section from each hopper, a swinging dropper for eachhopper, each dropper receiving the removed sta-y .section from each hopper and delivering the stay. sections tothe strand wires, means for endwise moving each dropper to have t-he ends of the stay sections overlap the strand wires, means for returning each swinging dropper to receiving position, a plurality of coiler heads el-igaging the overlapping ends of the stay sections for ceiling such ends around the strand wire, m-cans for simultaneously revolving the plurality of coiler heads and ceiling the endss of the stay sections around the strand wires, and means for crimping the strand wires between the stays, substantially as described.

28. In a wire fence machine, the combination of a. hopper for containing stay sections, a conduit leading from the hopper bottom, a pusher for ejecting a stay' section from the conduit, a dropper receiving the stay section from the conduit, and means for actuating the pusher and dropper, substantially as described.

29. In a wire fence machine, the combination of a hopper for containing stay sections, a conduit leading from the hopper bottom, a. pusher for ejecting a stay section from the conduit, a dropper receiving the stay section from the conduit. means for actuating the pusher and dropper, and means for projectlivery of thestay sections in position, substantially as described.

30. In a wire fence machine, the combination of a hopper for containing stay sections, a conduit leading from the hopper bottom, a pusher for ejecting a sta)v section from the conduit, a dropper receiving the stay section from the conduit, means for actuating the pusher and dropper, mea-ns for l'n'ojecting forward and receding the dropper for delivery of the stay sections in position, and means for-carrying `the delivered stay seetions endwise to overlie at its ends the coiler heads, substantially as described.

31. In a wire lcnce machine, the combination of a hopper for containing stay sections, a conduit leading from the hopper bottom, a pusher for ejecting a stay section from the conduit, a dropper receiving the stay section from the conduit, means for actuating the pusher and dropper, means for projecting forward and receding the dropper for delivery of the stay sections in position, means for carrying the delivered stay sections endwise to overlie at its ends the coiler heads, a pair of coiler heads each coiler head adapted for the passage of a strand wire, with the coiler heat s arranged to receive a stay section from the hopper thereover, and means for intermittently revolving thecoiler heads, substantially as described.

32. In a wire fence machine, the combination of a plurality of hoppers, each hopper containing stay sections, a conduit for each hopper leading from the bottom thereof, a pus 1er for ejecting a stay section from each conduit, a dropper receiving the stay section from each conduit, a reciprocating bar for actuating each pusher and each dropper, and means for reciprocating the bar, substantially as described.

In a. wire fence machine, the combination of a plurality of hoppers, cach hopper containing stay sections, a conduit for each hopper leading from the bottom thereof, a pusher for ejceting a stay section from each conduit, a dropper receiving the stay section from each conduit, a reciprocating bar for actuating each pusher and each dropper, an

oscillating plate having thereon a plurality oscillating plate having thereon a plurality I i ing forward and receding the dropperfor deof cam grooves, one groove for cach recipro- 

